Position-selecting actuator device



Jan. 24, 1961 R. D. EMERY POSITION-SELECTINGACTUATOR DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 2, 1958 INVENTOR. ROBERT QfMERY Jan. 24, 1961 y R. D. EMERY 2,968,959

POSITION-SELECTiNG ACTUATOR DEVICE Filed Sept. 2, i958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 '67; I I m WIN; gIMA H INVENTOR. Ros/fer Q [Mmy M 6 ATmR/VEYS States Patent 2,968,959 POSITION-SELECTING ACTUATOR nnvrcn Robert D. Emery, Euclid, Ohio, assignor to Eaton Manugicturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of bio Filed Sept. 2, 1958, Ser. No. 758,524 11 Claims. (Cl. 74-1027) This invention relates to an actuator for devices provided with a control stern. More particularly the invention aims to provide a novel form of a position-selecting actuator which may be used in conjunction with switches, valves, or other stem controlled devices for the operation thereof.

One of the objects of the invention, therefore, is to provide a novel actuator which aifords step-by-step rotative control of a stem operated device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an actuator embodying push-buttons by which a switch or valve may be adjusted to a new position.

Still another object of the novel actuator of this invention is to provide a push-button type position selector which uses one push-button to rotate a control stem in one direction and another push-button to rotate the I stem in the opposite direction.

tive position of the device.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a top plan view of the actuator showing the indicator wheel in phantom,

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the actuator of Fig. 1

- together with a variable position switch to be actuated,

Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the actuator of Fig.

' 2 as seen from the left,

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line 4--4 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4 showing the relationship of the parts at a time during the operation of the device,

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of one of the push buttons,

Fig. 7 is a plan view of one of the ball carriers, and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the star wheel.

Although the novel actuator of the invention is suitable for use in conjunction with various stem controlled devices, for convenience it will be described hereafter with reference to use with a variable position switch such as may be used in the control of automobile heaters, air conditioners, or the like.

The actuator 10 has a body 11 taking the form of a casing having a base 12 and a cover 13. Cover 13 is secured to base 12 by suitable screws 14 and 15, forming a casing for working parts later to be described in detail.

Avariable position switch indicated generally at 16 is attached to the base 12 of body 11 as by screws 17 and 18. Switch 16 is of the type having a rotatable control stem 19 by which the switch may be set to a variety of positions.

Mounted on the body 11 is a form of star wheel or disk 20, and a pair of push-buttons 21 and 22. Push buttons 21 and 22 are part of a novel ratchet means for selectively rotating the star wheel 20, and the control stem 19, through the agency of two balls 23 and 24. An indicator wheel 25 is rotatably supported on the cover 13 of body 11 and serves to indicate the rotative position of the switch 16.

The push-buttons 21 and 22 are slidably supported by the body 11 in a side-by-side relationship adjacent the star wheel or disk 20 as can be seen from Figs. 1 and 2. Return springs 27 and 28 serve to urge "the push-buttons to their outward or rest position. Sockets or cylindrical openings 29 and 30 are formed on the inner ends of push-buttons 21 and 22 respectively, which sockets receive one end of the compression or return springs 27 and 28. The other ends of these springs are disposed over guide pins 31 and 32. Guide pins 31 and 32 are secured to the downturned flange 33 forming the back side of cover 13.

Cover 13 is provided with elongated slots or openings 35 and 36 which receive, and act as guideways for, raised portions on the upper sides of the push-buttons 21 and 22, one of which is seen at 37 in Fig. 4. Slots 35 and 36 are somewhat longer than the raised portions such as 37 and therefore permit limited reciprocation of the push-buttons.

Each of push-buttons 21 and 22 has a handle portion 41 which extends beyond the front edge of the cover 13 and base 12 of the body 11, and is of a convenient size and configuration for pushing by a human finger in the usual manner of push-button operation.

On the under side of each handle portion 41 is found a groove 42 which receives a stop pin 43. Stop pins 43 serve to guide the push-buttons against lateral displacement and, as will be later developed, pins 43 are positioned to perform a stopping function.

Balls 23 and 24 are loosely carried within cylindrical holes 47 in ball carriers 48 such as is seen in Fig. 7. The ball carriers are themselves reciprocably disposed within recesses 45 formed in the push-buttons 21 and 22. The upper wall of each recess defines a sloping cam surface 46 which acts on the ball within the recess in a manner which will later be made apparent.

Seated within a circular recess 50 in the base 12 of body 11 is found the star wheel or disk 20. Disk 20 is provided with a concentric boss 51 which is rotatably received in a bore 52 in base 12. A hole 60 with a flat side 61 passes through the center of disk 20 and is of a size to accommodate stem 19. Stem 19 has a fiat side 62 complementary to side 61 of hole 60'. Due to these flat sides 61 and 62, any rotation of disk 20 will be imparted to the coaxially disposed stem 19.

A plurality of elongated openings generally referred to as 54 are provided in disk 20, and in the preferred embodiment shown the openings 54 are six in number. Openings 54 are equally spaced circumferentially about the disk 20 and have their longer dimensions disposed radially of the disk.

Recesses 45 of the push-buttons 21 and 22 are in communication with openings 54 of disk 20. The balls 23 and 2 are of a diameter somewhat larger than the small dimension of the openings. For this reason the balls will not fully enter the openings 54 but will engage the disk 20 at the edges of the openings.

The ball carriers 48 are each provided with a projection 56 for retaining in place a compression or biasing spring 57. Biasing spring 57 acts between the carrier 48 and the wall "59 of the push-button recesses 45 to bias the carrier and its ball towards cam surface 46.

The actuator acts as a form of ratchet to move the stem 19 of a switch 16 or the like in a step-by-step manner A single pushing or reciprocation of button 21 inwardly, on what may be considered a power stroke,'will rotate the stem 19 a fraction of a turn in the counterclockwise direction as seen in Fig. 1. Pressing of the button 21 moves it inwardly against return spring 27 while biasing spring 57 urges ball carrier 48 to hold ball 23 against cam surface 46. Ball 23 is pressed by the cam surface 46 partly into an opening 54 and thus into 'e'ngagement'with thedisk 20.

Further inward movement moves the disk 20 one-sixth of a turn at which time raised portion 37 reaches the inner end of slot 35 and inward motion is stopped.

Releasing push-button 21 permits return spring 27 to move it outwardly on a return stroke. Here it should be noted that the return "spring 27 is stronger, or exerts a greater force than does biasing spring 57. The stem 19 and disk 20 remain in their new rotative positions and 'ball 21 tends to remain in its opening 54 holding its carrier 48 with it as the push-button moves outwardly.

As the push-button 21 moves outwardly the ball 23 becomes free of the influence of the cam surface 46 and is able to rise out of its opening 54* under thefo'rce of biasing spring 57. Biasing spring 57 will then move carrier 48 and ball 23 outwardly through the position seen in Fig. until the ball 23 engages the next successive opening 54 Push button'21 is'brought to a stop in its outer or resting position by the abutting of raised portion 37 against the outer end of slot '35. In this position with the ball 23 resting in the opening 54 and raised portion 37 abutting the outer end of slot 35, the ball carrier 48 is stopped from further outward movement by stop pin 43.

Carrier 48 is stopped by stop pin 43 just short of bold ing the ball 23 in contact with cam surface 46. The ball 23 is therefore more easily displaced from opening 54 'When the disk '20 is rotated in a clockwise direction under the action of push-button 22.

A similar series of events occur upon the inward and outward reciprocations of push-button 22 which, as noted above, rotates the disk and hence propels the stem 19 a fraction of a turn in a clockwise direction.

Additionally, as noted above and as a part of the novel actuator of this invention, there is included an indicating means from which the rotative position of the switch 16 or "other stern operated device may be ascertained. To this end an indicator wheel is provided with appropriate markings as at 65 and 66 to indicate the various rotative stopping positions of the switch 16. One such marking may be applied for each opening 54 by which the stopping positions are determined. 7

Wheel 25 has a hole 67 through its center of a size required to admit the stem 19. Hole 67 has 'a-fiat side complementary to the flat side 62 of the stern, which fiat sides ensure the rotation of the indicator wheel 25 with the stem 19 of switch 16.

A spacing boss 68 is conveniently made a part of wheel 25 and by which the wheel is rotatably supported upon the cover 13 of body 11. When in use the actuator 10 is advantageously fastened to a panel, as for'example an automobile dashboard shown in part'at 71. The fastening may be by screws 69 and 7t) threaded into cars 73 and 74 of base 12. A window 72 in the panel 71 per- --mits'the marking, corresponding to the position of the switch, to be seen by the operator.

Located on base 12 of body 11 is an upright bracket or suppo'rt 76 in which is secured a lamp socket 77. A conventional light-bulb 78 isheld by the socket 77 for illumination of the indicator wheel 25. By this means the markings such as 'at 65 and-66 may be seen during con- -di'ti'ons of darkness.

From the foregoing detailed description and accompanying drawings it will readily be seen that there has been provided by this invention a position selecting actuator which aptly achieves the previously enumerated, and other, objects.

Further it may be seen that the novel actuator is capable of step-by-step ratcheting or position selecting in either direction, and by repeated or single steps. It will also be appreciated that the described actuator mechanism because of the nature and relation of its parts, will be durable and smooth acting, thereby assuring positive and reliable performance.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been described in some detail and with reference to a specific use, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiment disclosed except as required by the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a position-selecting actuator for operating devices having control stems, a body adapted to have a stern operated device attached thereto, a disk rotatably'carried by said body, said disk adapted to engage said stern in coaxial relation for rotation of the stern therewith, and first and second push-buttons mounted on said body for reciprocation through power and return strokes, said first push-button adapted to engage and rotate said disk for propelling said stern a fraction of a turn in one direction upon each power stroke, and said second pushbutton adapted to engage and rotate said disk for propelling said stem a fraction of a turn in the opposite direction upon' each power stroke.

2. In a position-selector actuator of the character described, a body, a disk rotatably carried by said body,

said disk having circumferentially spaced openings defined therein, push-buttonsmounted on said body for reciprocation adjacent said disk, spring means urging said push-buttons to areturn position, said push-buttons having means adapted to engage'in said openings in said disk to rotate said disk upon reciprocation of one of said pushbuttons against the action of said spring means, and indicating means disposed to indicate the rotative position of said disk.

3. In an actuator of the character described, a disk rotatably supported by a body, said disk having a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings defined therein, first and secondpush-buttons mounted on said body for reciprocation through power and return strokes, spring means urging said'push-buttons to a return position, said push-buttons having ratchet'means adapted to engage in said openings to rotate said disk a fraction of a turn upon each power reciprocation of a push-button, power reciprocation of said first push-button causing rotation of said disk in one direction, power reciprocation of said second push-button causing rotation in the opposite direction, and indicating means disposed to rotate with said disk and indicate the rotative position thereof.

4. In a position-selecting actuator for operating devices havin'g'control'stems, a body adapted to have a stem controlled device secured thereto, a disk rotatably carried by said body and adapted to engage said stem in coaxial relation for rotation of the stem therewith,'said disk having a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings defined therein, first and second push-buttons mounted on said body for inward and outward reciprocation,

to rotate said'disk and stem in thetopposite.direction.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein there is provided an indicating means disposed for rotation with said stem to indicate the rotative position of said stern, and i luminating means detachably secured to said body for illuminating said indicating means.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein the said ratchet means comprise ball elements.

7. In an actuator of the character described, a disk rotatably carried by a body, said disk having a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings defined therein, push-button means mounted on said body for inward and outward reciprocation adjacent said disk, return spring means urging said push-button means outwardly, said push-button means having cam means and having resiliently biased means for engaging said disk in said openings, said biased means being resliently urged toward said cam means, whereby upon inward reciprocation of said push-button means said cam means will hold said resiliently biased means in engagement with said disk in one of said openings thereof for rotating said disk, and upon outward reciprocation of said push-button means said cam means will release said resiliently biased means for movement thereof to the next successive opening for engagement with said disk.

8. The device of claim 7 and wherein said push-button means includes a first push-button and a second pushbutton, operation of said first push-button being effective to rotate said disk a fraction of a turn in one direction and operation of said second push-button being eifective to rotate said disk a fraction of a turn in the opposite direction, indicating means disposed to indicate the rotative position of said disk, and illuminating means mounted on said body for illuminating said indicating means.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein said resiliently biased means comprise spring biased ball elements.

10. In an actuator of the character described, a body, a disk rotatably carried by said body, said disk having a plurality of circumferentially and equally spaced, elongated openings defined therein, said openings having their longer dimensions radially disposed, first and second push-buttons mounted on said body for reciprocation through power and return strokes adjacent said disk, return springs urging said push-buttons to a return position, said push-buttons each having a recess in communication with said openings, cam surfaces defined by a wall of each recess, a ball in each recess, said balls being urged toward their respective cam surfaces by resilient means, an indicating wheel disposed for rotation with said disk for indicating the rotative position of said disk, and illuminating means removably attached to said body for illuminating said indicating wheel, said balls being of a larger diameter than the smallest dimension of said openings, said resilient means and said cam surfaces acting on said balls whereby upon a power stroke of a push-button, a ball will be held by a cam surface in engagement with said disk in one of said openings thereof for rotating said disk a fraction of a turn, and upon a return stroke of said push-button, said ball will move to the next successive opening in said disk, a power stroke of said first push-button being efiective to rotate said disk in one direction, and a power stroke of said second push-button being effective to rotate said disk in the opposite direction.

11. In a position-selecting actuator for operating devices having control stems, a body adapted to have a stem controlled device secured thereto, a disk rotatably carried by said body and adapted to engage said stem in coaxial relation for rotation of the stem therewith, said disk having a plurality of circumferentially and equally spaced, elongated openings defined therein, said openings having their longer dimensions radially disposed, first and second push-buttons mounted on said body for inward and outward reciprocation adjacent said disk, return springs urging said push-buttons outwardly, said push-buttons each having a recess in communication wtih said openings, cam surfaces defined by a wall of each recess, a ball adjacent the cam surface in each recess, said balls being urged toward their respective cam surfaces by resilient means, an indicating wheel disposed for rotation with said disk for indicating the rotative position of said disk and stem, and illuminating means removably attached to said body for illuminating said indicating wheel, said balls being of a larger diameter than the smallest dimension of said openings, said resilient means and said cam surfaces acting on said balls whereby upon inward reciprocation of a pushbutton, a ball will be held by a cam surface in engagement with said disk in one of said openings thereof for rotating said disk and stem a fraction of a turn, and upon outward reciprocation of said push-button under the action of said return springs, said ball will move to the next successive opening in said disk, inward reciprocation of said first push-button being effective to rotate said disk and stem in one direction, and inward reciprocation of said second push-button being effective to rotate said disk and stem in the opposite direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 858,931 Way July 2, 1907 2,236,145 Kolb Mar. 25, 1941 2,253,433 Kellog Aug. 19, 1941 2,433,389 Newton Dec. 30, 1947 2,574,467 Cushman Nov. 13, 1951 2,689,281 Hooker Sept. 4, 1954 2,784,599 Moulin Mar. 12, 1957 2,848,902 Hale Aug. 26, 1958 2,863,043 Schmidt et a1. Dec. 2, 1958 

